All photos by Zirig Árpád

In the interview, Jeremy not only spoke about movies and Hollywood, but about his worldview. He does not consider himself a politician and he does not believe in the death penalty. Jeremy also tells his view of how Budapest has changed over the years.

Also in the interview:
- he’s not into politics, and doesn’t believe in any kind of ‘-ism’
- he doesn’t attend services at the Anglican church – “my wife and kids are Catholics”
- Doesn’t believe in death penalty – “because it doesn’t stop criminality”
- why he believes in love – “God is love, and it means to me that love is the answer for everything”
- what he thinks about power, money and fame – “it means more people know me than how many I know”
- what’s his advice to his son Max – “go until you find what makes you happy”

The British actor starred in Istvan Szabo’s Being Julia in 2004, which was filmed partly in Budapest.

Irons conducts the conversation in Hungarian as well, announcing in the interview Merry Christmas greetings to all in Hungarian.

Click on the thumbnails for larger images:

Around 150 VIP guests are set to enjoy what promises to be a highly memorable experience this evening, as some 500 musicians from across the globe gather to perform a selection of music by renowned Greek composer Vangelis during the opening of the Katara amphitheatre.

The opening has been organised to coincide with the 4th UN Forum on the Alliance of Civilisations being held in Doha until Tuesday, and Katara officials said that a composition had been written specially for the highly anticipated event which will be attended by forum delegates, including heads of states and ministers from around the world.

Tonight’s performance will be hosted by Oscar-winning actor, Jeremy Irons, who will introduce Vangelis’ three-part Choral Fantasy, while light artist Gert Hof paints the skies over the newly-opened arena.

Fellow Oscar-winner, Vangelis, best known for his work on film scores such as Chariots of Fire and Blade Runner, is generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of electronic music, and he has been chosen for the event to combine the historical aspect and tradition of the Greek amphitheatre and the forward thinking and modern aspects of Katara as a cultural institution.
The first part of the concert will be played by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, combining improvisation with European classical orchestra sequences, while the orchestra will join with the Yurlov Moscow State Academic Choir and highly renowned Soprano, Angela Gheorghiu to perform the second section of the evening.

The third act will feature tenor, Roberto Alagna alongside Gheorghiu before a finale of Vangelis’ greatest hits and Child of Hope, to be performed by the Qatar Philharmonic Children’s Choir.
Chief conductor for the evening will be Gennady Dmitryak, alongside music director and conductor, Yvan Cessar.

President of Katara, Abdulrahman al-Khulaifi expressed his excitement ahead of the opening: “It is an incredible honour to announce the grand opening of Katara’s amphitheatre. Since opening, Katara has not only provided a platform for aspiring artists and musicians but also introduced Qatar to world renowned musicians and performers.”

“As home to one of the largest open-air amphitheatres in the Middle East, Katara is dedicated to showcasing the diverse cultures of the world and the amphitheatre provides the perfect stage for international and local artists,” he added.

Al-Khulaifi spoke about the convergence of cultures represented by the forum taking place in Qatar, espousing similar values to Katara as a whole, where people and artists from all over the world have created an exciting and vibrant cultural hub for the region.

“Preparation for this event has taken about one year, as we wanted to make it a truly international event and to be associated with world renowned musicians,” he said, adding “this is a unique place, overlooking the sea and we are going to hear some inspiring music.”

The 4,000-seater amphitheatre will be used on a monthly basis, according to cultural director of Katara, Imad Sultan, who said that members of the public would be “thrilled” with the selection of “magnificent events” planned to mark its inauguration in the coming months.

He explained that the amphitheatre will be used less throughout the summer months because of the difficult weather conditions, but promised that the new venue will feature a selection of world-class performances over the coming year.

“This is celebrating an important milestone for Katara and I am certain that people will enjoy the series of magnificent events to come,” said Sultan.

“The performance will incorporate electrifying and awe-inspiring art and film projected on a large screen, accompanied with lights and pyrotechnics that are sure to dazzle,” added a spokesperson for the event.

Although the event is closed to the public, officials explained that a DVD of the concert will be made available by Katara in the future.

Click for a larger image of the press release:

Irons, who will play the leading male role of Jared in The Host, a film adaptation of Twilight author Stephenie Meyer’s science fiction novel, in 2013, will appear in the brand’s spring 2012 men’s campaign. It will be shot by Walter Chin and styled by Bill Mullen.

A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Irons is the son of Academy Award-winning actor Jeremy Irons, and the grandson of Cyril Cusack. In addition to still images, the INC campaign will include a short video of the actor discussing his personal style and self-expression.

The 2012 fest takes place Jan. 19-29.

The Words / U.S.A. (Directors and screenwriters: Brian Klugman, Lee Sternthal) — Aspiring writer Rory Jansen finds another man’s haunting memories in a collection of lost stories and claims them as his own, propelling him to literary stardom. Cast: Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Irons, Dennis Quaid, Olivia Wilde with Zoe Saldana. CLOSING NIGHT FILM

The definitive cast list for the BBC Two Shakespeare films including Henry IV (Parts I and II) has been confirmed.

Featuring some of the greatest Shakespearean actors and directors of our time, four films have been commissioned by BBC Two for their Shakespeare season in 2012 as part of the BBC’s contribution to the London 2012 Festival and the Cultural Olympiad. The films were commissioned by Ben Stephenson, Controller BBC Drama Commissioning and Janice Hadlow, Controller BBC Two.

Set in the medieval period, these bold adaptations of four of Shakespeare’s most acclaimed history plays will produce some of the most ambitious television of recent years. As principal photography begins on Henry V, the previously announced Kings – Ben Whishaw, Jeremy Irons and Tom Hiddleston – will be joined by a phenomenal ensemble cast.

Ben Whishaw said: “Playing Richard II has been a hugely rewarding experience. Working on this beautiful play with Rupert Goold and an amazing cast has been one of the most magical and memorable experiences of my career.”

Jeremy Irons said: “I am most grateful to have this opportunity of returning to Shakespeare, to film under the experienced eye of Richard Eyre, alongside such exciting actors.”

Tom Hiddleston said: “I am incredibly proud and privileged to be playing Prince Hal and Henry V in these new adaptations. He was one of England’s great kings and one of Shakespeare’s great men, and it is an extraordinary honour to have been asked to play him. I will be steeped in mud, blood, and warrior poetry for the next four months, led by two of the greatest directors working today, alongside a group of actors I have admired and respected all my life. I can’t wait.”

Henry IV (Parts I and II)

The second and third films will see Jeremy Irons (The Borgias) playing Henry IV, supported by Tom Hiddleston (Thor) as Prince Hal. Simon Russell Beale (Spooks) will play Falstaff and Julie Walters (Mamma Mia, Mo) will play Mistress Quickly. Hotspur will be played by Joe Armstrong (Robin Hood) and Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey) is to play Lady Percy alongside Maxine Peake (Criminal Justice) as Doll Tearsheet. Lady Northumberland will be played by Niamh Cusack (A Touch of Frost) with Alun Armstrong (New Tricks) as Northumberland. Reece Shearsmith (The League Of Gentlemen) will play the role of Davy, Tom Georgeson (Notes on a Scandal) will play Bardolph, Pistol will be played by Paul Ritter (Friday Night Dinner) and Douglas Henshall (South Riding) will play Mowbray. Iain Glen (Downton Abbey) will play Warwick and Geoffrey Palmer (As Time Goes By) will play Lord Chief Justice.

Completing the confirmed cast of Henry IV are Henry Faber, James Laurenson, David Hayman, Robert Pugh, Alex Clatworthy, Stephen McCole, David Dawson, Ian Conningham and Nick Jones.

Henry IV Production Designer is Donal Woods (Downton Abbey, Cranford). Director of Photography is Ben Smithard (Cranford) with Annie Symons (Gideon’s Daughter, The Crimson Petal and the White) as Costume Designer.

Henry IV is directed and adapted for the screen by Richard Eyre (Notes on a Scandal, Iris). Filming on Henry IV will begin in January 2012.

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To see all of the artwork in the SixbyEight exhibition go HERE.

This charity art event starts on the 11th November where patrons will have the opportunity to purchase art from professional and amateur artists. SixbyEight has collated in excess of four hundred pieces of art all measuring 6×8″ which will be sold at £40 each and all signed on the reverse , so a purchase is unknown – an ‘artistic gamble’, all proceeds from this event will then be donated to Hop Skip and Jump .

A private view will be held at the Bristol Gallery on the 11th November from 7pm, by invitation only (Due to overwhelming demand all tickets for the private view are now sold out), followed by the open view on 12th-13th November from 10am – 5pm. All donated works will be available to purchase.

Oscar-winning actor, Jeremy Irons, has come on board as ambassador for the new Cork Screen Commission (CSC), which will launch at the Cork Film Festival on November 11th.

Irons (The Borgias, Die Hard: With a Vengeance, Lion King) has signed up to be an ambassador for the organisation which aims to promote Cork as a filming location, and to service the needs of productions filming in Cork.

Irons has spoke of his love of Cork saying ”I was attracted to Cork by its end-of-the-roadness, by its culture, its music, by its landscape and by the way the waters knit into the land. When I discovered Cork, which was 23 or 24 years ago, I thought it was sort of like paradise!”

The Oscar nominated actor praises the natural advantages of Cork as a filming location saying ”I think the light here, with the water and the colours of the landscape is cinematic. Even on grey days, it’s good for cinema because the light is so balanced. But we get spectacular days here also. There’s a beautiful variety to Cork; the landscape is very different from West to East, you have Cork City, of course, and some spectacular mountains to the North.”

Irons also highlighted the ease of transport and the highly skilled labour force available in Cork. Jeremy’s role as an ambassador for Cork Screen Commission is to help attract more film work to the area. Jeremy Irons currently lives in West Cork.

The Cork Screen Commission will be officially launched on November 11th during the Cork Film Festival, when its official website www.corkscreencommission.com will also go live.